49ers beat Vikings in preseason opener, 17-6

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick led touchdown drives in an entirely different fashions to open the 49ers' exhibition season.Smith led the 49ers on a scoring drive that lasted more than seven minutes. Kaepernick's drive took all of 28 seconds, as he dashed 78 yards for a touchdown on his second snap of the game.The 49ers' two early touchdowns provided them with a lead they would not relinquish in a 17-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on a windy night at Candlestick Park.The 49ers played without veterans Justin Smith, Frank Gore and Mario Manningham, who were held out for undisclosed reasons.All did not go perfectly, as outside linebacker Aldon Smith hobbled off the field late in the first quarter with what the team disclosed as a "hip bruise."
NEWS: Smith leaves with hip bruise
Smith's drive was a methodical, 12-play, 84-yard drive that featured Brandon Jacobs converting a fourth-and-one play with a three-yard run. Jacobs also had a 23-yard run.Smith hit receiver Brett Swain on a four-yard scoring pass to cap the drive. Michael Crabtree started and played for the first time in the exhibition season. He caught a three-yard pass. Randy Moss played four snaps but did not see a pass come his way.Kaepernick took considerably less time, as he kept the ball on a read-option. He broke into the secondary untouched and fended off Minnesota cornerback Chris Cook with a stiff arm for the final yards of his 78-yard touchdown run.
Scott Tolzien replaced Kaepernick at start of second half and completed 10 of 13 passes for 84 yards.
UPS AND DOWNS: Rookie A.J. Jenkins made a phenomenal fingertip grab of a Kaepernick dart at the right sideline for a 15-yard reception. But Jenkins dropped two passes before making another nifty grab of a five-yarder.TWO-WAY PLAYER: Demarcus Dobbs was officially issued No. 40, so he could play on offense without reporting in. Dobbs first saw backup action along the defensive line in the first half. In the second half, he played tight end.GIORGIO GETS HIS KICKS: Former Cal kicker Giorgio Tavecchio handled all of the kicking duties in place of veteran David Akers. Tavecchio made both extra points and also added a 29-yard field goal.DEFENSIVE MIXUP: On the Vikings' second play of the game, quarterback Christian Ponder hit wide receiver Stephen Burton on a deep post beyond cornerback Carlos Rogers. The play went for 52 yards. As soon as the play was over, Rogers had a discussion with safety Dashon Goldson, who left the middle wide open when he bit on an underneath route.HAPPY RETURN: Kyle Williams was back deep to return punts for the 49ers in the first half. William handled Chris Kluwe's second-quarter punt flawlessly and ripped off a 22-yard return. On his next chance, Williams called for a fair catch when it looked as if he had some room to return.BAKHTIARI BACKS 'EM UP: Outside linebacker Eric Bakhtiari, who played for Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, racked up two sacks on one series in the fourth quarter. His second sack came on a second-and-10 play from the 49ers' 33. The Vikings eventually were forced to punt.

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